* * *
When they left Adam and Abby’s, Mac drove his family home in the big SUV he’d bought when he and Maddie were first together, not realizing he’d one day need every seat in the vehicle for their family.
He helped her get the kids inside and supervised lunch for the older three while Maddie tended to the babies. “I’m heading to work for a few hours and then meeting Morgan for a beer around five. I’ll be home by six at the latest, and I’ll bring something for dinner.”
“That sounds good. Thanks.”
Mac bent over the back of the sofa to kiss her. “Thank you. Last night was amazing. Just what we needed.”
“Thanks for planning it and executing our escape.”
“We’ll do it again soon. Love you.”
“Love you, too. Have a good day at the office.”
“I’d rather be here with you guys.”
“We know.”
“Daddy stay home!” Mac said as he ran after his dad.
Mac scooped him up and swung him around, making the little guy laugh. “Be a good boy for Mommy today, and we’ll wrestle when I get home, okay?”
“Okay.”
Mac set him down to toddle off to find Thomas and Hailey.
“Go while you can,” Maddie said, smiling.
“I’m out.”
As he drove into town, Mac reflected on his many blessings, which began with his wife and children and included his still-active, healthy parents and uncles as well as his siblings, cousins, their spouses and children. The McCarthy family was rapidly expanding, and in a few short years, their kids would be running roughshod over their parents.
Mac couldn’t wait for all of it and to get to know his four new nephews as well as Adrian, Dylan and the children Evan and Grant would soon welcome to the family with their wives.
To think, not that long ago, he’d had no plans to relocate to Gansett Island, and here he was now, running two businesses, surrounded by his entire extended family and countless friends. Life was good and getting better all the time.
He stopped at the marina to check on a project his business partner, Luke Harris, was overseeing—the installation of new washers and dryers for summer guest use.
“How goes it?” he asked Luke when he stepped out of the blustery cold into a slightly warmer space where Luke was working.
“It’s going. These things are bulky and awkward to move around, but I’ve got two more to go.”
“Thanks for handling it.”
“No problem. Fun to see the new babies this morning. They’re cuties.”
“Of course they are. They’re McCarthy boys.”
“Do you ever get tired of the sound of your own voice?”
Mac pretended to think about that for a second. “Nope. Not really.”
Luke laughed. “Why’d I even ask? What’s up with you today?”
“Since it’s already almost two, I’m going to the office for a few hours to do some estimates and other paperwork, and then Grant and I are meeting Morgan Weyland for a beer at the Beachcomber at five. He wants to talk to us about island life as an adult when, like him, we couldn’t wait to get the hell out of here. You should come if you want.”
“Maybe I will. I’ll see what’s up at home. So is Morgan thinking about staying?”